Here are some opportunities for Focus Fairies 1)Chicago Foundation for Women – Community Grants - Funder: Chicago Foundation for Women - Award Size: ~$10,000–$25,000 - Deadline: Annual (typically late winter/early spring) - Geographic Eligibility: Chicago-area nonprofits - Key Requirements: Advancing gender equity and leadership for women and girls - Why Fit: Your focus on Black & Brown girls’ leadership and empowerment aligns with CFW’s mission. - Fit: 5/5 | Effort: 3/5 - Link: https://www.chicagowomenshealth.org/grants/ 2) Chicago Community Trust – Youth & Family Initiatives - Funder: The Chicago Community Trust - Award Size: ~$25,000–$50,000 - Deadline: Annual (varies by initiative) - Geographic Eligibility: Chicago region - Key Requirements: Nonprofit with impactful community programs - Why Fit: Funding youth empowerment, violence prevention, community resilience — directly complements your trauma-informed mentoring. - Fit: 5/5 | Effort: 4/5 - Link: https://cct.org/our-work/ if You want to be on the next list, please comment below with your Website or the name of your organization, mission, location, and a little bit about your program.

Those who want to be included in the grant opportunities, please send me the following information: • the program you run • the demographic you serve • your city and state Thank you!

This might surprise you, but most grants aren’t rejected because the idea is bad. They’re rejected because the nonprofit isn’t ready. Before funders look at passion, they look for a few basics: - Can you clearly explain what problem you solve? - Do you have at least one defined program, not just activities? - Can you show how funds will be used with a simple budget? - Are your finances organized enough to report responsibly? If any of those are unclear, the application stalls quickly. Here’s a simple self-check before applying for your next grant: 1. Can I explain our mission in one short paragraph? 2. Can I describe our program and outcomes in plain language? 3. Do I have a basic budget that matches the program? 4. Do I know why this funder is a fit for us? If the answer is “not yet,” that’s not failure . it just means your next step is preparation, not submission. Grants reward clarity and structure far more than urgency. If you want grants to feel less frustrating, build the foundation first.